1 oz. Pure Silver Coin – Second World War Battlefront: The Battle of Hong Kong (2016)

Second coin in the new Second World War Battlefront series. Order today!

“…All ranks fought it out to the last and more cannot be asked of any man.” – The Honourable J.L. Ralston, speaking in the House of Commons.

Canada's first land combat of the Second World War began on December 8, 1941, when, mere hours after the attack on Pearl Harbor, the Japanese launched an invasion on the British Crown Colony of Hong Kong. Outnumbered and less well equipped than the enemy, the odds were not in the Canadians' favour as they defended the peninsula, then the island itself. Over 550 of the 1,975 Canadians sent to Hong Kong never made it home; but during the 17 days of fierce fighting, they fought valiantly, even engaging in hand-to-hand combat with the enemy, as they defended Hong Kong to the very end. This fine silver coin pays tribute to the bravery and resolve of these Canadian soldiers throughout the Battle of Hong Kong.

COMMEMORATES CANADA'S ROLE IN KEY BATTLES OF THE SECOND WORLD WAR. Your coin is a commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Hong Kong, and the legacy of the Canadian soldiers who fought in one of the first land battles in the Pacific during the Second World War.

FINE DETAILS. Your coin is struck with fine details which showcase the Royal Canadian Mint's world-class artistry and skillful engraving.

EFFIGY OF KING GEORGE VI: Your coin features the effigy of King George VI by T. H. Paget.

1-OUNCE 99.99% PURE SILVER COIN. Your coin is GST/HST exempt.

Design:

Designed by Canadian artist Joel Kimmel, your coin captures the intensity of the fight and the sheer bravery of Canadian soldiers during the Battle of Hong Kong (December 8-25, 1941). Amidst the jungle conditions and rugged terrain of Hong Kong Island, two Canadian soldiers are among the Allied forces that formed a line of defence to counter the enemy's advance toward the Wong Nai Chung Gap. The soldier in the foreground is dressed in the shorts and short sleeves of the Pacific uniform; rushing forward with resolve and courage, he makes his way past a concrete pillbox that bears the markings of heavy artillery fire. Behind him, a soldier moves up the sloped edge of a cliff overlooking the bay, and aims his Lee Enfield rifle with bayonet. The all-out enemy assault was backed by a strong air presence, as represented by the Mitsubishi Zero falling from the clouds towards the ground, with heavy smoke rising up from its propeller. The overwhelming nature of the Japanese attack is also conveyed through the ships that fill the bay between the island and the mountainous mainland in the background.

Did you know…

The Japanese invasion was launched just eight hours after the December 7 attack on the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor, yet the start of the Battle of Hong Kong is on December 8th—this is due to the International Date Line, which means Hong Kong and Hawaii are separated by an 18-hour time difference.

Canada's force in Hong Kong also included two medical officers, three chaplains, two Auxiliary Service Officers, two Nursing Sisters, two officers of the Canadian Dental Corps and their assistants, plus a detachment of the Canadian Postal Corps.

Their heavier equipment—or 212 of the vehicles assigned to the Canadian forces in Hong Kong—would never arrive; on-board the freighter Don Jose, they made it as far as Manilla before the war against Japan was declared, and were then diverted to assist in the defence of the Philippines.

Among the many casualties was the first Second World War Canadian recipient of the Victoria Cross who selflessly threw himself on a grenade to save his fellow soldiers of the Winnipeg Grenadiers' “A” Company.

A Newfoundland dog named Gander was also posthumously awarded for his sacrifice, by picking up a grenade and rushing toward the enemy—his name is among those on the Hong Kong Veterans Memorial Wall in Ottawa.

The Japanese invasion of Hong Kong began on the morning of December 8, 1941, when aircraft attacked the Kai Tak airport before targeting the Sham Shui Po, where two men of the Royal Canadian Signals became the first Canadian casualties in Hong Kong.

On the ground, the large enemy force fought hard to reach the high ground as they pushed south along the mountainous mainland toward the Gin Drinkers' Line—a defensive line dotted with pillboxes and trenches for the purpose of defending the Kowloon Peninsula and Victoria Harbour. By the evening of December 13, the mainland was lost, and a captured soldier became the first Canadian infantryman killed in the Second World War.

Refusing to surrender, the Allied forces regrouped on Hong Kong Island where they were split into two defending forces: an East Brigade (including the Royal Rifles of Canada) and a West Brigade (with the Winnipeg Grenadiers). The enemy launched its amphibious assault on the island on December 18 before pushing to its centre, Wong Nai Chung Gap, and effectively severed the defence in half.

There was no relief in sight for the beleaguered troops. In the east, the Royal Rifles succeeded in driving out the enemy from several hill positions but soon found themselves depleted of ammunition, food and water. In the west, “A” Company of the Grenadiers was surrounded and captured. Lawson himself became a casualty when, his headquarters surrounded, he left with two pistols in hand to “fight it out.” For three days, “D” Company of the Grenadiers fought off enemy advances until their door was eventually blown down; inside, the Japanese were shocked to find just 37 wounded Grenadiers, fighting until they had little left.

The Allies' inevitable surrender came on December 25—a day that became known as “Black Christmas.” For their part, the Canadians had shown incredible resilience as they held their own against a much larger, well-armed enemy force that had combined heavy artillery fire and air domination. Canadian casualties initially numbered 290 killed and 493 wounded, but many more would endure suffering and hardship as Prisoners of War (POWs). The soldiers of this Canadian contingent in Hong Kong are forever remembered for their perseverance, courage and sacrifice, earning them a place of honour in our nation's military history.

Packaging:

Your coin is encapsulated and presented in a Royal Canadian Mint-branded maroon clamshell with a graphic beauty box.

Reviews

Great addition to my collection

I love the coins produced by RCM! They look wonderful when properly displayed!

Redcoat7121

Edmonton, Alberta

2017-10-22

Yes

This is a part of history

5

Gift to family member as we have a connection to battle.

Sharon

Edmonton AB

2017-08-12

Yes

Thank you Canada!

4

I'll go to the Sai Wan Cemetery in Hong Kong next month to pay my respect to these brave Canadians who lost their life in Hong Kong. More expensive to buy it from local dealer.

Nick

Hong Kong

2016-11-20

Yes

a great piece of memorabilia

5

A tribute to the veterans who sacrificed for our freedom.

Lest We Forget

Unionville, Ontario

2016-10-26

Let us Not Forget What They Did

5

This memorial coin is specially for the 75th years anniversary of Canadian soldiers fighting in Hong Kong. But from the graphic design nobody can tell what and where it commemorate. Looks like just another war memorial coin. The award to the HK war veteran will be a better choice. But still a nice looking memorial coin.

akela

Mississauga, ON

2016-10-24

Yes

cation say's it all

4

n/a

dutchie

quinty west

2016-10-22

Yes

great design

4

it is better to include information about the coin, history, designer...

Ginny

BC

2016-10-21

Yes

good for collection

5

gift for my HK friends

kevinycw

richmond, bc

2016-10-18

Yes

VERY SATISFIED

5

coin collector

Bob

Flin Flon Man.

2016-10-18

Yes

Paradoxical

5

I can't really tell if I like it or not!
I'm considering this coin to be part of a series, it says this is the second coin of the series, yet I haven't found the first on anywhere.
So, it will be pointless if the series is not complete

K Farias

Cambridge, ON

2016-10-17

Yes

1 oz. Pure Silver Coin â Second World War Battlefront: The Battle of Hong Kong (2016)

4.818

100.0

Does the mint sell all the war coins in a set. If so what would the cost be. Thanks

1942

2017-01-01

Yes the entire set is available as a subscription at $89.95 per coin. It include current, previous and future releases:
http://www.mint.ca/store/coins/1-oz.-fine-silver-10coin-subscription-second-world-war-battlefront-2015-prod2310036?rcmiid=link|categorypage|1_oz_Fine_Silver_10-Coin_Subscription_-_Second_World_War_Battlefront_2015|Shop-World_War

2017-01-04

Anonymous

I would like to order the coin from Hong Kong. Do you ship to overseas address?

You can be assured that the Mint fully guarantees the superior quality and craftsmanship of its products. If you are not completely satisfied with your purchase, you can simply return it to us in its original packaging within 30 days and we will gladly offer you a replacement (subject to product availability) or send you a full refund. In the case of a defective product, we will accept the return up to one year from the date of purchase.